Scarlet Rosefinch - 1994

Rare visitor

Scarlet Rosefinches have been expanding their range in Europe for many years, reaching northern France by 1987 and first breeding in Britain in 1982 (Spencer 1993). They have been recorded in Pembrokeshire on 15 occasions since the first at Skokholm on 26 June 1949: ten times at Skokholm, twice at Skomer and once at Trecwn and at Newport. The Newport bird visited a garden bird-table from 26 December 1991 to 8 January 1992, being the first winter record for Britain, all others occurring between 3 May and 24 July, apart from one at Skokholm on 17 September 1974.

Donovan J.W. & Rees G.H (1994), Birds of Pembrokeshire